15 Whitehall office
Japan Festivals in Liverpool and Dumfries
JLGC staff attended the 2025 Summer Matsuri, hosted by JETAA and the Japan Society Northwest and part-funded by JLGC, which took place on 31 August at Liverpool’s Sefton Park Palm House. Visitors enjoyed taiko drumming, folk songs, and demonstrations of ikebana, shodo, and sado, alongside martial arts displays and performances on the koto and shamisen. Set amid the Palm House’s lush surroundings, the festival celebrated Japanese culture old and new, bringing together communities from across the UK for a day of music, art, and tradition. It was a lively, family-friendly event that truly captured the spirit of Japan in Liverpool.
Colleagues also attended the Japanese Culture Festival at Shambellie House, Dumfries, organised by JETAA Scotland and again part-funded by JLGC. Supported by the Consulate General of Japan in Edinburgh and the Japan Society of Scotland, the event offered a weekend of Japanese arts, performances, and family activities. Visitors enjoyed demonstrations of archery, karate, poetry, dance, and traditional yukata dressing, alongside exhibitions of photography, quilts, and kimonos. With food from Sushi City and local partners, the festival brought the colour and culture of Japan to Dumfries and Galloway, celebrating friendship and cultural exchange between Scotland and Japan.
For more information about JET Alumni Association events, see www.jetaa.org.uk
CLAIR HQ Staff Research Visit
One of our colleagues from our Tokyo headquarters, Ms Miyu Kawachi, visited London in September as part of her research into food waste policies and practices across Europe. Her study, titled “The Current Situation and Countermeasures for Food Loss in Europe,” examined how European countries address the challenge of food loss, alongside the cultural values and approaches to sustainability and multicultural coexistence that underpin these efforts.
As part of her research, Ms Kawachi explored innovative ways in which surplus or discarded food is repurposed—for example, using expired bread for brewing beer or transforming grape skins left over from winemaking into grapeseed oil. Her findings contributed to identifying potential lessons for Japanese local governments seeking to introduce similar sustainable waste utilisation practices.
The London office supported Ms Kawachi throughout her visit, helping to connect her with UK and German organisations and experts working in related fields, including organisations such as Incredible Edible Todmorden and Ernährungsrat für Köln und Umgebung e.V.
Online Seminar Recap – Public Space Design and Citizen Participation in the UK
On Thursday, 25 September 2025, we were pleased to host an online seminar with Ms Kimiyo Nabeshima, CEO of Global Research. The seminar explored public space design and citizen participation in the UK, highlighting innovative approaches and practical examples from UK municipalities.
Ms. Nabeshima shared insights on how inclusive design and community engagement can create vibrant, accessible public spaces while fostering social cohesion. Attendees gained valuable perspectives on both policy and practical strategies for involving citizens in decision-making.
The seminar was held via Zoom, and for those unable to attend live, the full recording is available on our website HERE, alongside previous seminar information, providing a valuable resource for learning from expert insights and best practices
Japan Matsuri in London
JLGC once again took part in Japan Matsuri, the UK’s much-loved and largest annual festival of Japanese culture and food, which was held in Trafalgar Square on Sunday 21 September, from 10am to 8pm.
Showcasing the richness of Japanese culture in the UK, Japan Matsuri has continued to attract a loyal audience of Londoners, the Japanese community, and visitors, families, and friends each year since its launch in 2009 (at Spitalfields in 2009 and 2010, County Hall in 2011, and Trafalgar Square since 2012). Over the years, it has firmly established itself as a celebration of the deep and enduring friendship between Japan and the UK.
JLGC showcased the regions of Japan and handed PR and travel information on local spots and destinations away from the usual tourist destination, highlighting hidden gems and
JET Returnee Reception
On 24 September, the Embassy of Japan, together with the Japan Local Government Centre (JLGC), London, co-hosted a reception to welcome the returnees of the UK JET Programme. The event brought together former JET participants who had returned to the UK this year, offering them an opportunity to network with alumni who have since established their careers in the UK, as well as with professionals from organisations engaged in Japan–UK relations.
Embassy Minister Maeda delivered welcoming remarks, highlighting the continued deepening of Japan–UK relations across a wide range of fields and emphasised that JET alumni play a vital role as a bridge between the two nations and encouraged them to maintain their connection with Japan through the JET Alumni Association (JETAA).
Multicultural Communities Policy Exchange Programme 2025
The third annual Multicultural Communities Policy Exchange Programme was held from 15–19 September in London and Oxford.
This year, we were pleased to welcome ten participants from across Japan’s public sector, representing both city and prefectural governments.
Under the theme “Social Cohesion in the UK”, the programme explored how local and national policies address key issues such as health and educational inequalities, community integration, and the creation of more inclusive cities.
JLGC extends its sincere thanks to all partner organisations and authorities that contributed to the success of this year’s programme, including: Department for Education, London Borough of Hackney, London Borough of Tower Hamlets, NHS Race and Health Observatory, Refugee Education UK, Vietnamese Family Partnership, Asylum Welcome and Protection Approaches.
Their insights and collaboration were invaluable in deepening participants’ understanding of the UK’s approaches to social inclusion and diversity.
JET Careers Fair Online 2025
A total of 126 people took part in this year’s JET Alumni Careers Fair Online, organised by the Japan Local Government Centre (CLAIR in London), the JET Alumni Association UK (JETAA) and the Embassy of Japan in the UK.
The event brought together returnees considering a move back to the UK after their JET experience, those uncertain about finding work or contacts after arrival, and others who simply wanted to stay connected with the JET community and Japan.
Participants enjoyed a range of panel discussions and breakout sessions, where JET alumni and exhibitors shared insights on leveraging skills and experience from the JET Programme to find employment and explore different professional sectors in the UK.
The expo area featured virtual booths hosted by a wide range of companies and organisations – both Japan-related and others – based across the UK.
A CV Clinic offered participants one-on-one video consultations with career counsellors, providing tailored advice on job searching and improving CVs for the British job market.
Attendees also made meaningful connections through networking features, live chats, and direct messages, linking returnees with recruiters, mentors, and regional JETAA chapters.
The fair was highly interactive, with live Q&As, in-session chat, polls, and networking, ensuring participants were fully engaged throughout the day.
